Nitrogen, an element making up about 78% of Earth’s atmosphere, extends its presence far beyond the air we breathe. Within hospital environments, this abundant gas plays a multifaceted role, becoming an indispensable component in various medical and operational functions. Its applications range from extreme cold for therapeutic purposes to powering essential equipment and supporting patient care.
Cold Applications in Medicine
Liquid nitrogen (LN2), with its extremely low boiling point of -196°C (-321°F), is widely used for cryogenic properties in medical applications. It is a primary agent in cryosurgery, a technique that freezes and destroys abnormal or diseased tissues. For instance, it removes warts, skin lesions, and certain tumors, offering a precise and minimally invasive treatment. This method causes targeted cellular death while often preserving surrounding tissue, leading to regenerative healing with reduced scarring.
Beyond surgical procedures, liquid nitrogen is crucial for cryopreservation of biological materials. Its intensely cold temperature halts biological activity, allowing for long-term storage of substances like blood, tissue samples, and cells. This technique maintains the viability of sperm, eggs, embryos, and stem cells in biobanks, supporting fertility treatments and future transplant procedures.
Role in Anesthesia and Breathing Support
Nitrogen gas serves an important function in patient care, particularly in anesthesia and respiratory support. It is a component of medical air, a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen supplied throughout hospitals. In operating rooms, nitrogen acts as a carrier gas, diluting potent inhaled anesthetic agents to safe concentrations for patient inhalation.
This nitrogen-oxygen mixture, an inert carrier gas, ensures safe delivery of anesthetic drugs. Medical air also provides respiratory support for patients, assisting with breathing difficulties and mechanical ventilation. It helps maintain appropriate oxygen levels during surgical procedures and in critical care units.
Powering and Preserving Hospital Operations
Nitrogen’s utility extends to powering and preserving hospital operations and technologies. In imaging departments, liquid nitrogen is used to cool the superconducting magnets within Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. These magnets require extremely low temperatures, often near absolute zero, to achieve superconductivity, a state where they exhibit zero electrical resistance.
Nitrogen gas provides pneumatic power for surgical tools in operating rooms. Its dry properties are advantageous for driving instruments like drills and saws, preventing oxidation and extending their lifespan. Beyond direct patient care, nitrogen tanks are fundamental in hospital laboratories for long-term preservation of chemical reagents and biological samples, ensuring their integrity for research and diagnostic purposes. Nitrogen also contributes to the stability of medical gas systems by maintaining pressure in storage cylinders and preventing contaminants.
Safety Protocols
The handling and storage of nitrogen in hospitals require safety protocols due to hazards. Nitrogen is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas; it can displace oxygen in enclosed spaces without warning, leading to asphyxiation. When liquid nitrogen vaporizes, it expands significantly, by approximately 695 to 790 times its liquid volume, which can rapidly reduce oxygen concentration.
Direct contact with liquid nitrogen or its cold vapor can cause cold burns or frostbite to skin and eyes. Storing liquid nitrogen in sealed containers also poses an explosion risk, as rapid vaporization can lead to pressure build-up. To mitigate these risks, hospitals implement safety measures including proper ventilation. Staff wear personal protective equipment, such as insulated gloves, face shields, and safety goggles. Regular training and oxygen monitoring systems are standard practices.